You have solar panels on your roof and an EV in your driveway or on the way, but you still aren’t sure which charger to pick: the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 or the Zappi?
Both are known as solar-smart chargers and appear on every home EV charger list in Australia. If you already have Enphase microinverters, the choice can be even harder. Should you stay with Enphase and try their new charger, or go with the Zappi, which has been a trusted option in Australia for years?
At PSC Energy, we sell and install both chargers. We’ve seen how each one performs in real Australian homes, so we know what to expect during installation and on your power bill. We don’t earn extra for recommending one over the other.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- Overview of the Two Chargers
- What the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 and Zappi Have in Common
- Where the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 and Zappi Differ
- Solar Integration: The Real Test for a Solar EV Charger in Australia
- Pros and Cons: Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 vs. Zappi
- FAQ: Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 vs. Zappi
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear and detailed comparison of the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 and the Zappi. We’ll explain how each handles solar integration, what their smart features cost, and help you choose the best home EV charger for your needs.
Overview of the Two Chargers
Enphase IQ EV Charger 2
The Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 is a fixed wall charger for AC home charging. It comes with a 7.5-metre Type 2 cable, which is handy if you park to the side, share a driveway, or have a tricky garage layout.
Key specs at a glance:
- Charging speed: Up to 7.4 kW on single-phase; up to 22 kW on three-phase.
- Connector: Type 2 (standard in Australia).
- Cable: 7.5 metres, tethered only.
- Weather rating: IP55 (suitable for indoor or outdoor installation).
- Warranty: 5 years.
- Solar smart features: Requires an IQ Gateway for solar-aware charging and load balancing.
The charger is reliable right away. If you add an IQ Gateway (or already have one with your Enphase system), it can adjust its charging speed in real time based on your solar production and home energy use.
It can also detect grid outages and switch to solar-only charging when paired with an Enphase battery.
Zappi by MyEnergi
The Zappi is a solar-smart wall charger from UK company MyEnergi. It was the first EV charger made specifically for solar integration.
You can choose a tethered version with a 6.5-metre cable or an untethered version where you use your own Type 2 cable.
Key specs at a glance:
- Charging speed: Up to 7 kW on single-phase; up to 22 kW on three-phase.
- Connector: Type 2 (standard in Australia).
- Cable: 6.5 metres on the tethered version; bring your own on the untethered version.
- Weather rating: Suitable for indoor or outdoor installation.
- Warranty: 3 years (optional extension available).
- Charging modes: Fast, ECO, ECO+
- Solar integration: Works with any solar system that exports to the grid.
The Zappi connects to the MyEnergi app, where you can control charging modes, set schedules, and monitor energy use.
To measure your solar surplus, it needs CT clamps wired to your solar system ($49 per phase). These devices track what your panels produce and what your home uses, so the Zappi can adjust its charging speed.
If you’re interested in learning about other EV charger options, you might want to check out the following article titled, Zappi Charger Review: Is It the Right Choice for You?
What the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 and Zappi Have in Common
While these two chargers have their differences, they also share a lot in common. Both have a Type 2 connector, so they work with almost every modern EV sold in Australia.
- Both support single-phase and three-phase homes; your installer sets the charger to match your supply.
- Both can use surplus solar energy to charge your car instead of drawing from the grid.
- Both include dynamic load balancing, which lets the charger reduce its power draw when the rest of your home needs more electricity.
- Both connect to an app for monitoring, scheduling, and control.
- Both support OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), which allows them to communicate with compatible third-party software platforms.
- Both suit indoor and outdoor installation.
Because of these similarities, either charger will work well for a basic installation. The main differences show up when you look at solar integration and how each fits into your current system.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about charging EVs, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Solar (and Battery) Do You Need to Charge an EV in Australia?
Where the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 and Zappi Differ
This is where the comparison gets interesting. Each charger uses a different approach to solar-smart charging.
Cable length: The Enphase charger comes with a 7.5-metre cable. The Zappi tethered version has a 6.5-metre cable, which might seem like a small difference, but it can help in a tight garage or awkward driveway.
Warranty: The IQ EV Charger 2 has a 5-year warranty, while the Zappi comes with 3 years, but you can extend it. Since you’ll use your charger every day, those extra two years of coverage are a real benefit.
Tethered vs untethered options: The Enphase charger is only available as a tethered unit. The Zappi gives you a choice. If you like to store your cable in the car or want a cleaner wall, the untethered Zappi lets you do that.
What you need to unlock solar-smart charging
This is the main practical difference between the two chargers.
- The Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 needs an IQ Gateway to access your solar production and home energy data. Most Enphase homeowners already have one as part of their microinverter setup. If you don’t, your installer can add one, though it increases the total cost.
- The Zappi needs CT clamps ($49 per phase) wired to your solar system to read import and export data. It’s simpler and more affordable than a new IQ Gateway.
Ecosystem fit: The Enphase charger works best if you already use other Enphase products. The Zappi is brand-agnostic and works with any solar setup that exports to the grid, including wind and micro-hydro systems.
Charging mode control: The Zappi gives you three named modes that you switch between via the app or directly on the unit:
- Fast: Charges at maximum power using the grid and solar together.
- ECO: Blends solar and grid to keep a steady charge going.
- ECO+: Charges only from surplus solar. Pauses when the surplus drops.
The Enphase charger automatically adjusts its charging rate based on data from the IQ Gateway. It doesn’t use named modes.
Instead, it responds to solar surplus and home load in the background, so you don’t have to switch modes yourself.
App experience: The Enphase charger works with the Enphase app. If you already use this app for your solar and battery, you can manage everything together.
The Zappi uses the MyEnergi app, so you’ll have a separate platform to use.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about public charging stations, you might want to check out the following article titled, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Guide 2026.
Solar Integration: The Real Test for a Solar EV Charger in Australia
Solar integration is what sets these chargers apart from standard wall chargers. But each one handles it differently.
Both chargers work on the same basic idea. They track how much energy your home imports from or exports to the grid, then adjusts the charging speed based on that.
When your solar panels make more power than your home needs, the extra usually goes back to the grid at a low rate. A solar-smart charger notices this surplus and sends it to your car instead.
The difference is in how each charger gets and uses this data.
Enphase IQ EV Charger 2: How Solar Integration Works
The Enphase charger gets its solar data through the IQ Gateway, which already sits at the heart of every Enphase microinverter installation.
If you have Enphase microinverters, you almost certainly already have an IQ Gateway. The charger connects to the Gateway, reads your real-time solar production and home consumption, and automatically adjusts its charge rate.
This integration works smoothly in a full Enphase setup because all the devices share the same data. The charger can also detect grid outages and switch to solar-only charging when paired with an Enphase battery.
If you don’t have Enphase solar, the IQ Gateway can still connect to other inverter types using CT clamps at the switchboard. The charger isn’t limited to Enphase, but the setup is more complicated and the integration isn’t as smooth.
Zappi: How Solar Integration Works
The Zappi uses CT clamps that your installer attaches to your solar system at the switchboard. These clamps measure the current going in and out of your grid connection and send the data to the charger.
Once the Zappi has this data, its three charging modes use it to adjust charging. ECO+ mode is the most focused on solar: it only charges from surplus solar and pauses if the surplus drops too low. ECO mode mixes solar and grid power, which is good if you want your car to charge steadily instead of starting and stopping.
The Zappi works with any solar brand. As long as your system exports energy to the grid, the CT clamps can measure it.
Which Charger Offers Better Solar Integration?
Neither is objectively better. They suit different situations:
- In a full Enphase setup, the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 integrates more naturally and pulls everything into a single app.
- With non-Enphase solar, the Zappi delivers solar-aware charging without requiring a new gateway device.
The two chargers can communicate to some extent. The Zappi supports OCPP, so it can receive data from the Enphase Enlighten platform. This connection works, but it doesn’t offer the same level of control as the Enphase charger working directly with the IQ Gateway in an Enphase system.
If you’re wondering if you EV supports bidirectional charging, you might want to check out the following article titled, What EVs Support Bidirectional Charging in Australia?
Pros and Cons: Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 vs. Zappi
Enphase IQ EV Charger 2
Pros:
- Deep native integration with Enphase solar and battery systems.
- Manage solar, battery, and EV charging in one app.
- Longer tethered cable (7.5 metres).
- Stronger warranty (5 years).
- Automatic solar-aware charging and load balancing in a full Enphase setup.
- Detects grid outages and switches to solar when paired with an Enphase battery.
Cons:
- Full smart features require an IQ Gateway; it adds cost if you don’t already have one.
- Only available tethered; no untethered option.
- Less compelling for non-Enphase homeowners.
- A basic install won’t showcase the smart features; site setup matters a lot.
Zappi
Pros:
- Works with any solar system that exports to the grid; fully brand-agnostic.
- Three clear charging modes give you direct, visible control over solar-first behaviour.
- Available tethered or untethered.
- CT clamps are simple and affordable to add for solar integration.
- Strong track record in Australian homes.
Cons:
- Shorter warranty (3 years standard).
- Shorter tethered cable (6.5 metres).
- Requires the separate MyEnergi app rather than integrating with your existing solar app.
- CT clamps still add to the total cost for solar-aware charging.
Wrapping Up: Charge Ahead with Confidence
Both the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 and the Zappi are capable solar EV chargers. Both support single-phase and three-phase homes. Both charge your car from solar surplus. Both include load balancing and app control. In the right setup, either one will do the job well.
If you choose the charger that fits your system, you’ll be happy with either one.
At PSC Energy, we install both chargers in homes across Greater Western Sydney and beyond. We’ll check your home’s power supply, your EV’s charging limit, and whether you already have what you need for solar-smart charging. If you’re ready to get started, contact us for a quote. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning more about EV chargers, you might want to check out this guide titled, The 10 Best Home EV Chargers in Australia.
FAQ: Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 vs. Zappi
Is the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 or Zappi better for solar EV charging in Australia?
It depends on your solar setup. If you have Enphase microinverters, the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 integrates most naturally and keeps everything in one app. If you have non-Enphase solar, the Zappi is the stronger pick. It works with any solar system and doesn’t require extra Enphase hardware.
Can the Zappi work with an Enphase solar system?
Yes. The Zappi supports OCPP, enabling it to communicate with the Enphase Enlighten platform. You’ll also need CT clamps for import and export data. This setup works, but it’s less native than pairing the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 directly with the IQ Gateway inside a full Enphase system.
Does the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 require an IQ Gateway?
Yes, for the full range of solar-smart features, including automatic surplus charging and load balancing, the charger needs an IQ Gateway. Most Enphase homeowners already have one. If you don’t, your installer can add one, though it increases the total cost.
What are the Zappi charging modes for solar EV charging?
The Zappi offers three modes. Fast charges at maximum power using the grid and solar together. ECO blends solar and grid for a steady, continuous charge. ECO+ charges only from surplus solar and pauses when that surplus drops.
Which solar EV charger has a better warranty?
The Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 comes with a 5-year warranty. The Zappi offers 3 years with an optional extension. For a product you use every day, the longer Enphase warranty is a real advantage.
Which charger has a longer cable?
The Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 comes with a 7.5-metre tethered cable. The Zappi tethered version has a 6.5-metre cable. That extra metre can make a real difference in a tight garage or split driveway. The Zappi untethered version lets you choose your own cable length.
Do both chargers support dynamic load balancing?
Yes. Both the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 and the Zappi include dynamic load balancing. The charger reduces its power draw when the rest of the home pulls heavily on the circuit. This helps protect the main switch and can allow some homes to avoid costly switchboard upgrades.
Does the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 work with non-Enphase solar?
It can, via the IQ Gateway, using CT clamps at the switchboard. However, the setup is more complex and more expensive than using it within a full Enphase system. For non-Enphase homes, the Zappi is generally the simpler and more cost-effective choice.
Which is the best home EV charger for solar if I don’t have solar yet?
The Zappi gives you more flexibility because it works with any inverter brand. If you haven’t chosen a solar system yet, the Zappi won’t lock you into a brand. If you’re leaning towards Enphase microinverters, the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 makes more sense as part of that package.
Do both chargers work with all EV brands?
Yes. Both use a standard Type 2 connector, which is compatible with virtually every modern EV in Australia.
